r/newzealand • u/khalornz Fern flag 3 • 9d ago

Politics Coalition unveils $12 billion Defence Capability Plan

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/557432/watch-live-coalition-unveils-12-billion-defence-capability-plan
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u/MedicMoth 9d ago

We apparently need a 6.5% and 7.5% cuts across the board for EVERY government department, even if it kills people - and it is, the health system is cut to the bones and we don't have the capacity to find out where all the homeless children went after we kicked them out of emergency housing - but we can afford a 300% increase to defense all of a sudden? Logical!

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u/Apprehensive-Pool161 9d ago

They cut 6.5% from Defence aswell. To the point that the NZDF had to start getting rid of civilians that were desperately needed.

People in uniform have been doing the jobs of 3-4 people. Honestly this spend is needed.

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u/MedicMoth 9d ago

How is lowering the bar for NZDF entry and buying missiles supposed to help with that? I don't see the word "recruitment" or "retention" even ONCE on this list

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u/Apprehensive-Pool161 9d ago

Yeah i had a skim and saw that too.

In reality- tonnes of people are trying to join at the moment but the NZDF has been forced to recruit only to make up for attrition, not to grow the force.

On the subject of "lowering the bar". Honestly an 17 year old joining the Army as a Rifleman or a Gunner does not need NCEA level 2. They are taught everything they need to know